As Richard Rohr often says, "Great suffering often leads to great love".

I have found that just in the first week of this unprecedented time in our history,

I have often allowed my own suffering to overshadow the real and true suffering of this world.

The suffering I cause when I take words too personally and magnify actions too unjustly. 

The suffering I cause when I lament my feelings of being alone instead of press into them.

The suffering I cause when I allow my privileged circumstances to morph into ungratefulness.

I can easily get inside my head and analyze my own (and everyone else's) actions and non actions,

words spoken and things left unsaid. 

I can easily let my lofty expectations run away with my imagination, only to be let down by reality.

I can easily allow these situations to define my outlook, my attitude and the posture of my heart. 

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In this time of global suffering, I have found that perspective matters (but when doesn't it?).

Looking inwardly in a destructive manner never builds up. It only continues to tear down.

The only cure for my own inward destruction is outward solitude. 

Seeing the real suffering being experienced by every person, on some level, all around the world,

pulls me out of a downward spiral and moves me toward solidarity. 

Toward compassion. Toward realization. Toward love.

Sometimes I get far away from the spiral, but other times I seem to move one space.

This is all a practice but,

I typically expect myself to get things right the first time.

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Thankfully Great Love has a way of holding our hand, helping us to be patient with ourselves.

He gently cleanses our eyes to see clearly. He dusts us off and picks us up so we can try again.

Great Love and unmerited grace are synonymous. 

KLW